US embassy cable - 04THEHAGUE1391

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 001391 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AC/CB, NP/CBM, VC/CCB, L/ACV, IO/S 
SECDEF FOR OSD/ISP 
JOINT STAFF FOR DD PMA-A FOR WTC 
COMMERCE FOR BIS (GOLDMAN) 
NSC FOR CHUPA 
WINPAC FOR LIEPMAN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PARM, PREL, CWC 
SUBJECT: CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION (CWC): WEEKLY WRAP-UP 
FOR MAY 28, 2004 
 
 
This is CWC-67-04. 
 
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FY 2005 BUDGET 
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1.  (U)  The Director General presented the FY 2005 budget 
proposal on May 27 (faxed to AC/CB), stating that it was 
consistent with the objectives set by the Review Conference 
and maintained the spending power of the TS.  The nominal 
increase is 4.8 percent, which means that, if accepted, 
annual assessments would increase by 4.4 percent.  The entire 
budget proposal is for 76.7 million euros, with about two 
thirds going to salaries and other staff costs.  New 
initiatives include a 17 percent increase for verification 
activities at CWDFs, and an increase from 70 to 80 
inspections of OCPFs.  A new P-level position is to be given 
to the International Cooperation and Assistance Division to 
support national implementation activities.  Finally, the 
guard staff will move from temporary to professional staff, 
keeping costs down by eliminating one sergeant positions. 
 
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OIO REPORT 
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2.  (U)  Facilitator Chiho Komuro (Japan) held a May 26 
facilitation to discuss the Note by the Director General 
(EC-37/DG.5) and the Annual Report of the Office of internal 
Oversight for the Period from January 1 to December 31, 2003. 
 After a call for general comments on the DG's note, 
delegations generally noted the slow rate of Technical 
Secretariat (TS) implementation of OIO recommendations, the 
 
SIPDIS 
slow rate of progress in developing and reviewing procedures 
of the Human Resources Branch (HRB), and the foot dragging of 
the TS in implementing the EC-36 directive changing 
implementation of the home leave policy. 
 
3.  (U)  The TS responded to concerns of delegations by 
noting that the rate of implementation of OIO recommendations 
had jumped from 18 to about 40 percent as of late May 2004. 
The TS also noted that the HRB situation had improved since 
its new head had been brought on board.  Finally, with regard 
to the EC-directed change in home leave policy, Head of 
Administration Herb Schulz noted that two days after the EC 
decision was taken, the DG began implementation.  Because the 
new directive required review by a number of offices, 
including the Office of the Legal Advisor, it would take 
several months until all approvals are in place and the 
directive implemented.  Delegations noted dissatisfaction 
with this response, stressing that the EC decision was not 
the same as a TS-initiated change in regulations and did not 
require a time-consuming review process.  Canada and Germany 
asked the TS to provide the expected date of implementation. 
 
4.  (U)  Brazil complained that it was inappropriate to 
discuss OIO activities in 2003 until there was a 
comprehensive report on all of 2002.  OIO Director Louati 
responded that an OIO investigation covers a specific time 
period that does not necessarily coincide with the calendar 
year.  Louati noted that the DG had approved Brazil's request 
that the OIO investigate TS recruiting and hiring procedures 
over the period 2002-2004.  Louati also stated that the TS 
could not drop its program of work at the request of one 
delegation; proper procedures must be followed. 
 
5.  (U)  Discussion of the Annual OIO Report focused on the 
OIO investigation of the theft of a TS camcorder.  The report 
was vague on exactly what had transpired, and delegations 
were concerned that sensitive information recorded during an 
inspection might have been lost.  They also noted that in 
addition to the circa 3,000 euro camcorder, an additional 
11,880 euros worth of equipment had gone missing.  Louati 
said that no sensitive information had been lost, because the 
camcorder had been stolen prior to the start of the 
inspection.  However, because of the sensitive nature of the 
incident, Louati could not provide more details, much to 
delegations' frustration. 
 
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UNIVERSALITY 
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6.  (U)  Facilitator Hela Lahmar (Tunisia) held a May 27 
consultation to discuss the Malta and Addis Ababa 
universality workshops.  Ioan Tudor of the External Relations 
Division reported that 35 delegates attended from 22 
countries along with representatives from the Council for 
Foreign Relations (Egypt), the League of Arab States, and the 
European Union.  Tudor reported that earlier TS mistakes 
(e.g., timing of the Malta invitations) would not me 
repeated. 
 
7.  (U)  Tudor reported that Israel indicated that while it 
was difficult to defend its nonparticipation in the CWC, the 
security situation in the region remained the deciding 
factor, although adherence to WMD-related treaties is an 
element of the peace process.  Israel noted that it had 
implemented export control procedures consistent with the 
requirements of the convention.  The Comoros Islands reported 
that it has been in political crisis since 1997 and needed 
help to implement the CWC.  Tudor stated that the TS is 
considering a bilateral assistance visit and that the TS 
welcomed support.  Finally, Tudor reported that the Egyptian, 
speaking in his personal capacity, stated that Egypt supports 
the effort to make his region WMD-free and anticipated 
dialogue between the TS and Egypt in the near term. 
 
8.  (U)  Tudor reported TS follow-up actions, which include 
May 24 letters from the Director General to States not Party 
advising them of UNSC Resolution 1540 and appealing to them 
to ratify the CWC as a partial response.  The TS intends to 
work more closely with the POCs identified by a number of 
SPs, in particular brainstorming possibilities to approach 
nonmember States.  Tudor noted that EU foreign policy chief 
Solana might address the November 2004 CSP.  The TS will 
initiate/continue its dialogue with Egypt, Lebanon, and 
Syria, and the TS would like to engage in a joint WMD-related 
event in the Mideast, with organizations such as the IAEA, 
UN/Disarmament Affairs, and CTBTO. 
 
9.  (U)  Delegations responded positively to the TS 
presentation, noting the small but significant 
accomplishments of the Malta workshop.  They also advised 
consideration of a change of format, as the one utilized may 
not necessarily be suitable for future gatherings. 
Delegations noted the significant participation of Libya, and 
the useful discussion of what led to Libya's decision to 
accede to the CWC. 
 
10.  (U)  Ito sends. 
SOBEL